Refrigerating Device

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns a portable cooling device for personal care products comprising a thermoelectric element ( 1 ) and means for thermally contacting ( 2 ) a dose of product to be cooled with the thermoelectric element. The inventive device is adapted to be used for applying a personal care product, such as cosmetic products, requiring to be rapidly and greatly cooled immediately before being applied to the skin.

CONTEXT OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of refrigerating devices, andrelates more specifically to a portable refrigerating device forpersonal care products. Certain personal care products, for examplecosmetics or pharmaceutical products, need to be applied cold in orderto be fully effective.

STATE OF THE ART

The company SAMSUNG® has thus proposed a refrigerator specificallydedicated to cosmetic products, with small dimensions and intended to beinstalled for example in a bathroom. Such a device is described in thedocument US-A-2003/0084670. The products to be cooled and keptrefrigerated are placed in a storage chamber the volume of which iscooled by a thermoelectric element coupled to a heat exchanger in adouble base of the storage chamber. An electronic unit controls thethermoelectric element on the basis of information provided by atemperature detector and as a function of parameters entered by theuser.

Such a device is however relatively bulky. Moreover, the refrigeratordescribed in US-A-2003/0084670 makes it possible to keep personal careproducts refrigerated, but not to cool them instantaneously. Now,certain personal care products have active ingredients activated by achilling effect, i.e. when they are significantly and rapidly cooledimmediately before their use.

Moreover, from the document U.S. Pat. No. 4,587,810 a device for makingice cubes is known, which comprises an insulating housing integratedinto a structure fixed to the wall. This device is intended to be placedin hotel rooms for example. The base of the insulating housing comprisesa tray intended to receive bags of ice cubes and two rows of sixthermoelectric elements are placed under the tray. Ice cubes can thus beformed in approximately 30 minutes. Such a device is fixed and despitethe relative rapidity of production of the ice cubes, it does not makeit possible to apply a chilling effect to a product. In fact, thermalchilling involves significant and very rapid cooling, of the order of afew minutes.

Reference can be made for example to the cosmetic product marketed underthe name Ice-Source®, a description of which can be found on the sitewww.ice-source.com. This product is contained in a self-cooling packagemaking it possible to significantly and rapidly cool the cosmeticproduct immediately before its application. The package currentlymarketed is however single-use and cools its entire contents only once.It does not therefore make it possible to cool small quantities ofsamples, nor to cool doses of different products.

Moreover, a self-refrigerating package for cosmetic products is knownfrom the document US-A-2005/0005628. This package contains arefrigerating tube connected to a reservoir of cosmetic product anddischarging via a product expulsion outlet. This tube is surrounded by acooling channel connected to a reservoir of pressurized gas. Cooling isensured by expansion of the gas along the channel surrounding thecosmetic product expulsion tube. This package therefore makes itpossible to instantaneously cool a small quantity of product immediatelybefore use, but the gases used—CFCs—are banned by European and Americanstandards for ecological reasons. The use of other gazes, such as CO₂ orbutane, are no more acceptable for safety reasons, CO₂ requiring verysignificant pressurization and butane being highly inflammable.Moreover, the package described in the document US-A-2005/0005628 doesnot make it possible to cool samples of different products.

A need therefore exists for a cooling device which allows rapid andrepeated cooling of doses of personal care products, typically a few mlto be cooled in less than 5 minutes, and which is compact and notharmful to the environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

For this purpose, the invention proposes to use a portable devicecomprising a thermoelectric element and means for bringing into thermalcontact a dose of personal care product with the thermoelectric element.

The thermoelectric element of the device of the invention does not coola volume, as is the case of the refrigerator described in the documentUS-A-2003/0084670, but directly cools the product. The device of theinvention does not therefore seek to keep a cosmetic productrefrigerated in its package, but makes it possible to apply a chillingeffect directly to a dose of product before its use.

According to the embodiments, the means for bringing into thermalcontact the dose of personal care product with the thermoelectricelement comprise a plate for receiving the product on which the productis spread and which is suited to being cooled by the thermoelectricelement; or means for pressing a package containing the dose of productagainst the thermoelectric element.

The invention also proposes a combination of a device according to theinvention and a package containing a dose of personal care product to becooled. Such a package can comprise a sachet of product or a tubeintended to be pressed against a thermoelectric element of the device,for example by pressing means of the device.

The device therefore makes it possible to cool doses of differentproducts separately and successively, each dose of product being able tobe provided in a package intended to be pressed against a thermoelectricelement of the device.

The invention also relates to a flexible package comprising twoheat-sealed flexible sheets delimiting a sachet containing a dose ofpersonal care product intended to be cooled by a device according to theinvention and a neck extending into the extension of the sachet. Saidflexible package also comprises at least one locator constituted by ahole passing through the heat-sealed flexible sheets and situated on oneside of the neck.

The invention also relates to a package in the form of a metal tubecontaining a dose of personal care product intended to be cooled by adevice according to the invention, the tube having a first end sealed bya stopper and a second end sealed by a piston.

The invention also relates to a process for cooling a dose of personalcare product, comprising stages consisting of:

-   -   placing the dose of product in thermal contact with a        thermoelectric element of a cooling device according to the        invention;    -   activating the thermoelectric element;    -   collecting the cooled product and applying it to an area to be        treated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will becomeapparent on reading the following description of embodiments of theinvention, given by way of example and with reference to the attacheddrawings, which show

FIG. 1, a perspective diagram of the refrigerating device according to afirst embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2, a lateral cross-section of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3, a detailed diagram of the refrigerating element and the heatremoval assembly of the device according to the invention;

FIG. 4, a perspective diagram of the refrigerating device according to asecond embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5, a lateral cross-section of the device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6, a view of the detail A of the pressing element of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7, a perspective diagram of the refrigerating device according to athird embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8, a lateral cross-section of the device of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9, a diagram of a package of a dose of personal care product to becooled with the device according to the second or third embodiment ofthe invention;

FIG. 10, a cross-section of a part of the refrigerating device accordingto a fourth embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11, a diagram of a package of a dose of personal care product to becooled with the device according to the fourth embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

In the description which follows, the expressions “conductive”,“insulating” and “in contact” refer to heat conduction; the expressions“above” and “below” are used with reference to the attached figures.

A first embodiment of the device according to the invention is describedwith reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

In FIG. 1, the device is shown generally resembling a box with a case 10and a raised lid 11. The case 10 has a limited space requirement, of theorder of 250*200*100 mm³. The upper wall of the case 10 comprises aplate 2 intended for receiving a personal care product to be cooled. Amark 3, situated substantially in the centre of the plate 2, makes itpossible to locate the most cooled area of the plate 2 during theoperation of the device. A dose of product to be cooled is thereforespread on the plate 2, at the marked area 3.

FIG. 1 also shows a control button 8, situated for example on the frontwall of the case. This control button 8 can be a simple on-off switch oran adjusting button.

When the device is not being used, the lid 11 can be closed in order toprotect the plate for receiving the product 2, which limits the spacerequirement of the device and facilitate its transport. When the deviceis being used, the lid 11 is raised in order to allow access to theplate 2 for spreading the personal care product to be cooled. Theinternal surface of the lid 11 can comprise a mirror, in particular whenthe product to be cooled is a cosmetic product.

An element 12 for displaying the temperature of the marked area 3 of theplate for receiving the product 2 can be integrated into the device, forexample in the lid 11 for good visibility. The temperature displayelement 12 can be of the graphic bar type comprising a series oflight-emitting diodes being illuminated or extinguished as thetemperature of the plate 2 is reduced. An electrical connection linksthe diodes to an electronic control circuit placed in the device anddescribed hereafter; this connection can pass through the hinges of thelid 11.

FIG. 2 shows the refrigerating device according to this first embodimentin lateral cross-section with the lid 11 raised. FIG. 2 thus shows thecontent of the case 10 of the device according to the first embodimentof the invention. A thermoelectric element 1 is placed under the plate2, approximately at the location of the mark 3 identified in FIG. 1. Theplate 2 thus constitutes a means for bringing into thermal contact adose of product to be cooled with the thermoelectric element 1.

The thermoelectric element 1 is connected to an electronic controlcircuit 8 a and to a supply 7 which can be of the rechargeable batterytype, such as for example a lap-top computer battery. For a deviceaccording to the invention, a power supply 7 of approximately 40 W at 9Vand 4 A is appropriate. The device according to the invention istherefore portable because of its limited dimensions and it also has acertain autonomy as it can be supplied from the mains or by its battery7.

The thermoelectric element 1 can be a Peltier cell having a cold surfaceand a hot surface when an electric current passes through it, thedifference in temperature being a function of the amount of currentpassing through the cell. The cold surface of the Peltier cell is incontact with the plate 2 intended for receiving the product to be cooledand the hot surface of the cell is placed on a heat removal assemblywhich can be a radiator 5 combined with a fan 6 or an accumulation heatsink, for example a reservoir of water. FIG. 3 describes in more detailthe refrigerating element 1 and the heat removal assembly 5, 6 accordingto a possible embodiment.

FIG. 2 also shows the control button 8 intended to activate cooling ofthe plate 2. This button 8 can be a simple switch controlling anelectronic circuit 8 a which controls the amount of current passingthrough the thermoelectric element 1 using information from atemperature-measuring sensor 9, of thermistor type for example. Thiselectronic circuit 8 a also makes it possible to control the temperaturedisplay element 12 described with reference to FIG. 1, using informationfrom the temperature sensor 9. The electronic circuit 8 a can alsocomprise a time-out which automatically stops the cooling after a fewminutes.

FIG. 2 also shows an intermediate plate 4 situated between the coldsurface of the Peltier cell 1 and the plate 2 for receiving the product.The plate for receiving the product 2 is preferably made of stainlesssteel, for reasons of ease of cleaning and limiting heat leakage. Infact, it is sought to significantly and rapidly cool a given area of theplate 2 in order to ensure a chilling effect on the personal careproduct spread on the plate; it is therefore desirable to avoid any heatloss over the whole of the surface of the plate. For this purpose it ischosen to make the plate 2 of very thin stainless steel, for example 0.5mm in thickness. Stainless steel having a low thermal conductivity, thecold transmitted from the Peltier cell 1 to the plate 2 spreads onlyslightly into the plate. In order to ensure a good thermal stability ofthe plate for receiving the product 2, it is proposed to introduce anadapter plate 4, for example of aluminium with a thickness of 6 mm,placed between the cold surface of the Peltier cell 1 and the stainlesssteel plate 2 for receiving the product. This adapter plate 4 ensures acertain thermal inertia and can integrate the temperature sensor 9connected to the electronic circuit 8 a. The coldest area of the plate2, located by the mark 3, therefore corresponds to the area above theadapter plate 4.

The case 10 can be made of plastic, wood or any other thermallyinsulating material. The case 10 can have an upper wall for supportingthe plate for receiving the product 2 which then constitutes only oneouter covering wall of the case. In fact, when this plate 2 is made ofstainless steel, as described above, it is very thin and may be deformedwhen a user spreads or collects the product. The upper wall of the caseis then partially cut through to a dimension slightly greater than thatof the adapter plate 4, in order to allow a direct thermal contact withthe plate for receiving the product 2.

FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the heat removal assembly with thethermoelectric element 1 and the adapter plate 4. The assembly shown inFIG. 3 is intended to be placed in the case of the device shown in FIGS.1 and 2.

In FIG. 3, the Peltier cell 1 is placed between the adapter plate 4 anda radiator 5. The cold surface of the Peltier cell 1 is in contact withthe adapter plate 4, but could also be free and directly contact theplate for receiving the product 2 during the assembly of the device inthe case. The hot surface of the Peltier cell 1 is in contact with theradiator 5. The radiator 5 is constituted by a thermally conductivematerial, for example aluminium or copper. The radiator 5 has a plateforming a surface in contact with the hot surface of the Peltier cell 1and fins connected to this contact surface in order to remove the heattransmitted by the Peltier cell. A fan 6 can moreover ventilate saidfins in order to improve the dissipation capacity of the radiator 5. Thefan 6 can be started once the device is put into operation, for exampleit can be controlled by the on-off button 8 of the device described withreference to FIGS. 1 and 2. The fan 6 can also be controlled by theelectronic circuit 8 a. It can be started only above a certaintemperature threshold in order to limit noise annoyance, for example bythe electronic circuit 8 a receiving a measurement from a temperaturesensor of the hot surface of the Peltier cell 1. The fan 6 is chosen tobe of low power, of the order of 1 Watt; this power is sufficient toremove the heat produced by the Peltier cell (a few Watts of averagethermal power) while limiting the noise annoyance produced.

The device according to the first embodiment of the invention can beused for the application of a personal care product as follows.

A personal care product, for example a cosmetic cream, needs to beapplied cold after a chilling effect, to an area to be treated. A doseof this product is spread on the receiving plate 2 of the device,preferably uniformly and in a thin layer at the location of the mark 3.The control button 8 is then activated in order to start the device; anelectric current passes through the thermoelectric element 1 and causesthe rapid and significant cooling of the area 3 of the plate 2 andtherefore of the personal care product which is spread there.

The starting of the device can also be triggered before the spreading ofthe product on the receiving plate 2 of the device, the product thenbeing spread on a surface which is already cold. In this case,activation of the Peltier cell 1 is maintained for a few minutes inorder to ensure the chilling effect on the spread product.

The device according to the invention makes it possible to cool theplate 2 for receiving the product to a temperature of less than 8° C. inless than 5 minutes. More specifically, the marked area 3 correspondingto the location of the Peltier cell 1 under the plate 2 can be cooled toa temperature of less than 5° C. in less than 2 minutes. When the spreadpersonal care product has thus been rapidly cooled, the user can collectit and apply it to the area to be treated, for example a portion ofskin—face, hands, bust etc.

A second embodiment of the device according to the invention isdescribed with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6. The elements identical tothose described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 have the same referencenumbers.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the device according to the secondembodiment with the lid 11 raised. The lid 11 can comprise a mirror anda temperature display element 12 as described previously. The case 10has a plate 2′ forming its upper outer wall; this plate 2′ has a recessintended for receiving a pressing element 20. In fact, according to thissecond embodiment, the product to be cooled is no longer spread on theplate 2′ but is placed in a single-dose flexible package 21 which ispressed against the thermoelectric element by a pressing element 20. Thepackage 21 is described in detail with reference to FIG. 9; and thepressing element is described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 5and 6. When the device is not used, the lid 11 can be closed onto theplate 2′ and the pressing element 20 in order to limit the spacerequirement of the device and facilitate its transport. The plate 2′ canbe made of the same material as the case 10, wood or plastic, orstainless steel as described previously. According to an embodimentvariant which is not shown, the pressing element 20 can be situatedabove the plate 2′ which does not then have any recess. According tothis variant, the case 10 does not comprise a lid or has a lid with arecess receiving the pressing element 20 projecting from the plate 2′.

In FIG. 4, the recess of the plate 2′ for receiving the pressing element20 is situated on a front edge of the case 10. This arrangement isadvantageous when it is desired to allow one end of the single-dosepackage 21 to protrude during the cooling operation as explainedhereafter.

FIG. 4 also shows positioning pins 41 for the flexible package 21. Thesepins 41 are intended to cooperate with locators provided in the packageas described with reference to FIG. 9. In FIG. 4, the pressing element20 is in pushed-back position; the pins 41 are released and the pressingelement 20 can pivot on its rear spindle.

FIG. 5 shows the case 10 of the device according to this secondembodiment in lateral cross-section with the lid 11 raised. FIG. 5 thusshows the thermoelectric element 1 placed between an adapter plate 4 anda heat removal assembly 5, 6. The heat removal assembly can be thatdescribed with reference to FIG. 3. The thermoelectric element 1 is alsolinked to an electronic control circuit 8 a and to a power supply 7.

FIG. 5 also shows the pressing element 20 comprising an articulatedmobile plate. The pressing element 20 is raised in order to place theflexible single-dose package 21 of product to be cooled in the device,then closed in order to press the package against the adapter plate 4.The pressing means 20 for the flexible package 21 thus constitute meansfor bringing into thermal contact a dose of product to be cooled and thethermoelectric element 1. FIG. 6 illustrates a detail referenced A inFIG. 5. The pressing element 20 is mounted on a spindle 25 in order topivot to give access to an area cooled by the thermoelectric element 1.The package 21 is placed on the plate 2′ of the case 10 facing theadapter plate 4 which ensures a certain thermal inertia and canintegrate a temperature-measuring sensor 9 connected to the electroniccircuit 8 a. The package 21 could also be pressed directly against thecold surface of the thermoelectric element 1.

FIG. 6 also shows a switch 8′ intended to trigger the cooling of theproduct contained in the package 21. This switch 8′ can be actuated bythe pressing element 20 when it is closed in order to press the flexiblepackage 21 against the adapter plate 4. The switch 8′ can control theelectronic circuit 8 a. According to a variant, the pins 41 forpositioning the flexible package 21 can serve as a switch for triggeringthe cooling of the product when the pressing element 20 is closed inorder to press the flexible package 21.

According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the pressing element 20comprises a mobile pressing plate 22 constituted at least in part by adense material in order to ensure the effect of pressing by its ownweight. This mobile plate 22 is articulated on the spindle 25 in anL-shaped housing. The mobile plate 22 can thus have a pushed-backposition pivoting on the spindle (FIG. 4) or a pushed-forward positionof horizontal pressure (FIGS. 5 and 6). An insulating layer 23 can beprovided on the internal surface of the pressing element in order tolimit the heat leakages from the refrigerated product towards thepressing plate 22. The insulating layer 23 is therefore situated underthe articulated mobile plate 22 so as to be positioned between saidplate 22 and the pressed flexible package 21. In FIGS. 5 and 6, thepositioning pins 41 for the package 21 are no longer visible as themobile plate 22 of the pressing element 20 comprises holes receivingsaid pins when the mobile plate is closed in pushed-forward position inorder to ensure a uniform pressure on the flexible package 21 by its ownweight.

According to an embodiment which is not shown, a second thermoelectricelement could be integrated onto the internal surface of the pressingelement 20. The flexible package 21 would then be sandwiched between twothermoelectric elements. The pressing element 20 would then comprise themobile plate 22, the insulating layer 23 and the second thermoelectricelement.

FIG. 6 also shows a temperature sensor 13 placed on the insulating layer23 of the pressing element, the measuring surface of the sensor 13 beingin contact with the package 21 of the product to be cooled. In order toimprove the reliability of the measurement of the sensor 13, inparticular in the case where an air bubble is be present in the package21 facing the sensor, a thin conductive plate 24 can be added to theinsulating layer 23. This plate 24, made of 0.5 mm aluminium forexample, makes it possible to integrate the temperature of the productover a wider area than the surface of the sensor without adding anexcessive heat capacity. The temperature sensor 13 is then placedbetween the insulating layer 23 and the conductive plate 24. If a secondthermoelectric element is provided in the pressing element 20, asindicated above, the conductive plate 24 can be thickened toapproximately 3 or 4 mm and serves as an adapter plate between thesecond thermoelectric element and the flexible package to be cooled. Thetemperature sensor 13 is then placed on the conductive adapter plate 24.

The temperature measurement of the sensor 13 can be indicated on thedisplay element 12 of the lid 11. This measurement makes it possible toensure that the product in the package 21 is well cooled before itsapplication. The temperature measurement of the sensor 9 can be used bythe electronic control circuit 8 a to regulate the operation of thethermoelectric element in order to prevent the product being frozen inthe package 21.

The dimensions of the insulating layer 23, optionally covered by theconductive plate 24, are substantially identical to the dimensions ofthe single-dose package 21 of product to be cooled. The pressing plate22 is slightly larger and longer in order to integrate the housing ofthe spindle 25 and a little wider in order to ensure a uniform pressureon the flexible package 21.

FIG. 9 illustrates a flexible single-dose package 21 intended to be usedwith the device of FIGS. 4 to 6.

The single-dose package 21 is constituted by two substantiallyrectangular flexible sheets heat-sealed at the periphery in order todelimit a sachet 26 with a neck 27. The sachet 26 of the package 21 isfilled with a dose of personal care product which needs to be activatedby a chilling effect, for example a cosmetic product or a dermatologicaltreatment product. The volume of the sachet 26 can be comprised between2 ml and 8 ml for example.

The neck 27 extends into the extension of the sachet, in the length ofthe package 21; it is relatively long in order to protrude from thepressing means of the device as described hereafter. In fact, it issought to tear or cut the neck 27 in order to expel the product from thesachet 26 while the sachet is still held in the pressing means of thecooling device according to the invention. It is therefore necessary forthe neck 27 to be accessible without the edges of the case 10obstructing its opening.

In order to facilitate the positioning of the flexible package 21between the pressing means 20 and the thermoelectric element 1, thepackage 21 has at least one locator 40. According to the embodimentillustrated, the package 21 has two locators 40 constituted by two holespierced in the heat-sealed sheets on either side of the neck 27. Theselocator holes 40 are intended for latching onto the pins 41 provided onthe case 10 of the cooling device. The precise location of theselocators 40, in combination with the pins 41, allows a positioning ofthe package 21 with the sachet 26 well situated above the thermoelectricelement for an optimum thermal coupling and good effectiveness of thecooling of the dose of product.

Moreover, in order to facilitate the opening of the neck 27, at leastone notch 28 is provided on one edge of the heat-sealed sheets. Theextension of the notch 28 cuts the neck 27; thus, when a user takes holdof the end of the package 21 and pulls upwards while the sachet 26 isheld immobile by the pressing means 20 of the device and/or by thelocators 40 latched onto the pins 41 of the case, the heat-sealed leavestear in the extension of the notch 28 across the width of the packageand the neck 27 is opened.

The device according to the second embodiment of the invention can beused for the application of a personal care product as follows.

The flexible single-dose package 21 is placed in the device of FIGS. 4to 6 with the sachet 26 in contact with the thermoelectric element 1,optionally through the adapter plate 4, and with the neck 27 protrudingfrom the edge of the case 10. The pressing element 20 is then closedonto the sachet 26 in order to press its content uniformly against thethermoelectric element 1. Simultaneously, the projection of the pressingelement 20 actuates the switch 8′; an electric current passes throughthe thermoelectric element 1 and causes the rapid and significantcooling of the personal care product in the compressed sachet 26.Starting the device can also be triggered by a push button 8 as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 or by a switch connected to the pins 41 for positioningthe package 21.

The device according to this embodiment of the invention makes itpossible to cool the content of the sachet 26 to a temperature below 5°C. in less than 2 minutes. When the temperature display element 12indicates that the product has reached the desired temperature, the neck27 is cut off with scissors or torn by pulling from a notch 28. As theneck 27 protrudes from the pressing element, it can be cut or tornwithout removing the sachet 26 from the refrigerated area; in thismanner, the personal care product remains refrigerated throughout thetime of its application.

A third embodiment of the device according to the invention is describedwith reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. The elements identical to thosedescribed with reference to the preceding figures have the samereference numbers.

FIG. 7 shows a perspective view of the device according to the thirdembodiment without a lid. The case 10 has a slot 29 situated on one ofits side walls and intended for receiving a single-dose flexible package21. A package of the type of that described with reference to FIG. 9 canbe used within the framework of this third embodiment.

In FIG. 7, the slot 29 is situated substantially in the centre of thefront wall of the case 10 of the device, but another location could beenvisaged. The upper wall of the case can integrate a temperaturedisplay element 12 (not shown). FIG. 7 also shows a lever 30 protrudingfrom the upper wall of the case and which can be retracted when thedevice comprises a lid; the lever 30 could also protrude from anotherwall of the case 10. The function of this lever is described withreference to FIG. 8.

FIG. 8 shows the case 10 of the device according to this thirdembodiment in lateral cross-section. FIG. 8 thus shows a pair ofthermoelectric elements 1 and 1 a placed opposite each other with theircold surfaces extending substantially parallel to each other; the gapbetween the cold surfaces of the thermoelectric elements 1, 1 a isintended for receiving the flexible package 21. Each thermoelectricelement 1 and 1 a is placed on a heat-removal assembly 5, 6 andrespectively connected to an electronic control circuit and to a powersupply (not shown). An on-off control button (not shown) is alsoprovided on a wall of the case 10 in order to actuate a switch of theelectronic circuit as described with reference to FIG. 2. The heatremoval assemblies can be of the type described with reference to FIG.3.

FIG. 8 also shows adapter plates 4, 4 a placed on each cold surface ofthe thermoelectric elements 1, 1 a. As described with reference to FIG.2, these adapter plates 4, 4 a ensure a certain thermal inertia and caneach integrate a temperature sensor 9, 9 a connected to the electroniccircuit. The package 21 could however be pressed directly between thecold surfaces of the thermoelectric elements 1, 1 a.

FIG. 8 also shows a spring 31 forcing one of the thermoelectric elements1 a towards the other thermoelectric element 1. More specifically, thespring forces one of the adapter plates 4 a towards the other adapterplate 4. The adapter plate 4 a therefore constitutes a mobile pressingmeans plate, said pressing means comprising a second thermoelectricelement 1 a. The lever 30 makes it possible to actuate the spring 31 inorder to move the adapter plates 4, 4 a apart and release a space facingthe slot 29 in order to receive the flexible single-dose package 21. Theadapter plates 4, 4 a therefore form the walls of the slot 29.

According to an embodiment (not shown), a single thermoelectric element1 could be provided, the spring 31 pressing a mobile plate of the typedescribed with reference to FIG. 6 towards said thermoelectric element.The spring 31 therefore constitutes an element which is a means forpressing the flexible package 21 for bringing into thermal contact adose of product to be cooled with the thermoelectric element.

The device according to the third embodiment of the invention can beused for the application of a personal care product as follows.

The lever 30 is actuated in order to move the thermoelectric elements 1,1 a apart from one another and open a slot 29 in the case 10. Thesingle-dose flexible package 21 is then placed in the device of FIGS. 7and 8 with the sachet 26 sliding into the slot 29 and the neck 27protruding towards the outside. The lever 30 is then released and thesachet 26 is sandwiched. A push button can be depressed by the user andan electric current passes through the thermoelectric elements 1 and 1 awhich causes the rapid and significant cooling of the personal careproduct in the compressed sachet 26.

The device according to this embodiment of the invention makes itpossible to cool the content of the sachet 26 to a temperature below 5°C. in less than 2 minutes. When a temperature display element indicatesthat the product has reached the desired temperature or after apredetermined time, the lever 30 is actuated in order to remove thepackage 21 from the slot and the neck 27 of the package can be cut ortorn off in order to collect the cooled product. The neck 27 can also beopened without removing the sachet 26 which remains compressed betweenthe thermoelectric elements. In fact, the neck 27 protrudes from theslot 29, it can therefore be cut or torn off without removing thepackage 21 from the refrigerated area.

It is understood that a dose of personal care product contained in apackage 21 could also be cooled by pressing the flexible package 21manually against a plate for receiving the product 2 as described withreference to FIGS. 1 and 2; the neck 27 would then be cut or torn offand the personal care product expelled manually for its application toan area to be treated.

A fourth embodiment of the device according to the invention isdescribed with reference to FIG. 10. The elements identical to thosedescribed with reference to the preceding figures have the samereference numbers.

FIG. 10 shows a detail view of the device according to the fourthembodiment. FIG. 10 shows the thermoelectric element 1 placed between anadapter plate 4 and a heat removal assembly 5, for example of the typedescribed with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 10 also shows a pressingelement 20, for example of the type described with reference to FIGS. 5and 6. According to this fourth embodiment, the adapter plate 4 isshaped in order to receive a tube 51 containing the product to becooled. In FIG. 10, the tube 51 is represented in cross-section with acircular shape, but it is understood that the tube 51 can have an ovalshape. The adapter plate 4 is shaped with a recess for receiving thetube 51 and ensuring a maximized thermal contact surface with the wallsof the tube 51. In fact, the adapter plate 4 ensures the heat transferbetween the thermoelectric element 1 and the product to be cooled. Itwill therefore be sought to maximize the exchange surface between theadapter plate 4 and the walls of the tube 51 in order to ensure therapid cooling of the product. The pressing element 20 is raised in orderto place the tube 51 of product to be cooled in the device, then closedin order to press the tube against the adapter plate 4. The pressingmeans 20 thus constitutes means for bringing into thermal contact a doseof product to be cooled with the thermoelectric element 1.

FIG. 11 illustrates a single-dose package in the form of a tube 51intended to be used with the device of FIG. 10.

The tube 51 is of metal, preferably aluminium. Aluminium is in fact agood heat conductor. Thus, even if only half of the circumference of thetube is in thermal contact with the cooled adapter plate, the whole ofthe tube is cooled rapidly. The tube 51 has relatively thick walls,greater than 0.4 mm, in order to ensure good cooling over the wholecircumference of the tube. If the pressing means 20 include a secondthermoelectric element as described previously with reference to thesecond embodiment, the walls of the metal tube 51 can be thinner.

According to an embodiment, the tube 51 has a substantially cylindricalbody containing the product to be cooled. The tube 51 can containapproximately 2 ml to 8 ml of personal care product. One end of the tubeis sealed by a stopper 52 and another end is sealed by a piston 53. Thestopper 52 can comprise a screwed sealing end piece or have a divisibleend piece 54. In an embodiment which is not shown, the sealing end piececan be continuous with the walls of the tube and comprise a de-sealingarea.

The device according to the fourth embodiment of the invention can beused for the application of a personal care product as follows.

The single-dose package 51 is placed in the device of FIG. 10 with thetube 51 housed in the recess of the adapter plate 4. The pressingelement 20 is then closed over the tube 51 in order to press it into thehousing of the plate 4 and ensure a maximum heat transfer with thethermoelectric element 1. In this embodiment, the adapter plate 4 can becooled before the insertion of the single-dose package as the plate 4has a significant thermal inertia. Starting the device can thus betriggered a few minutes before the insertion by a push button as shownin FIGS. 1 and 2.

The device according to this embodiment of the invention makes itpossible to cool the content of the tube 51 to a temperature below 5° C.in less than 2 minutes. When the product is cooled, for example when thetemperature display element 12 indicates that the product has reachedthe desired temperature, the stopper 52 is opened, for example thedivisible end piece 54 is torn off. The piston 53 is then actuated inorder to expel the cooled personal care product from the tube. Forexample, a rod integrated into the device (not shown) can be depressedin order to actuate the piston 53. This mobile rod can be actuated by amotor or by a manual lever. As described with reference to FIG. 6, theend of the tube comprising the stopper 52 can project from the pressingelement; it is thus possible to open the tube 51 without removing itfrom the refrigerated area; in this way, the personal care productremains refrigerated throughout the time of its application. The tube 51can also be removed from the recess of the adapter plate and the piston53 can be actuated manually outside the device.

The device according to the invention, whatever the embodiment chosen,makes it possible to exploit certain properties of a personal careproduct, activated by the chilling effect, for small doses of productand in repeated manner. Moreover, the device according to the inventionis not limited to a single product, as is the case in aself-refrigerating package, but can be used successively for doses ofdifferent products (in sachets or not in sachets).

The device shown generally resembles a box with a case 10 and a lid 11,but it is understood that other geometrical shapes can be envisaged. Thedevice according to the invention has a space requirement which isminimized compared with a refrigerator, even miniaturized; and it iseasily transportable.

1. A portable refrigerating device for personal care products,comprising: at least one thermoelectric element; and means for bringinginto thermal contact a dose of product to be cooled with thethermoelectric element. 2-3. (canceled)
 4. The device of claim 1,wherein the means for bringing the product into thermal contact includemeans for pressing a package containing a dose of product against thethermoelectric element.
 5. The device of claim 4, wherein thethermoelectric element is suited to cooling the dose of product in thepackage to a temperature of less than 5° C. in less than 2 minutes. 6.The device of claim 1, further comprising an adapter plate arranged on acold surface of the thermoelectric element.
 7. The device of claim 6,wherein the adapter plate comprises a temperature sensor.
 8. (canceled)9. The device of claim 1, further comprising a heat removal assemblycomprising: a radiator comprising fins linked to a plate forming acontact surface with a hot surface of the cooling element, and a fansuited to ventilating said fins.
 10. (canceled)
 11. The device of claim1, further comprising a rechargeable battery power supply connected tothe thermoelectric element.
 12. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising control means suited to regulating a current passing throughthe thermoelectric element.
 13. The device of claim 1, furthercomprising: a case receiving the thermoelectric element; a lidcomprising an element for displaying the temperature of an area ofthermal contact with the dose of product to be cooled.
 14. The device ofclaim 4, wherein, the pressing means comprise a mobile plate suited toexerting a pressure on the package.
 15. The device of claim 14, whereinthe mobile plate is suited to exerting a pressure on the package by itsown weight.
 16. The device of claim 14, wherein the mobile plate issuited to exerting a pressure on the package under the action of aspring
 17. The device of claim 16, further comprising a lever suited tomoving the pressing means away from the thermoelectric element.
 18. Thedevice of claim 14, wherein the pressing means further comprise aninsulating layer under the mobile plate.
 19. The device of claim 14,wherein the pressing means further comprise a temperature sensor suitedto being placed in contact with the package.
 20. The device of claim 14,wherein the pressing means further comprise a conducting plate suited tobeing placed in contact with the package
 21. The device of claim 4,wherein the pressing means further comprise a second thermoelectricelement.
 22. A combination of a portable cooling device and a flexiblepackage containing a dose of personal care product to be cooled, thepackage comprising a sachet of product intended to be pressed against atleast one thermoelectric element of the device, the portable coolingdevice comprising a mobile plate suited to exerting a pressure on thepackage.
 23. (canceled)
 24. The combination of claim 22, wherein thepackage comprises a neck in the extension of the sachet, the neck beingintended to protrude the mobile plate exerting a pressure on thepackage.
 25. The combination of claim 24, wherein the neck is intendedto be cut or torn off in order to allow the expulsion of the personalcare product from the sachet while said sachet is held pressed againstthe thermoelectric element by the pressing means.
 26. The combination ofclaim 22, wherein the flexible package comprises at least one locatorintended to cooperate with at least one pin of the cooling device.
 27. Acombination of a portable cooling device and of a package in the form ofa metal tube containing a dose of personal care product to be cooled,wherein the portable cooling device comprises: at least onethermoelectric element; an adapter plate arranged on a cold surface ofthe thermoelectric element, said adapter plate having a recess; andmeans for bringing into thermal contact the metal tube with thethermoelectric element, wherein the tube has a first end sealed by astopper and a second end sealed by a piston, said tube being dimensionedto be positioned in the recess of the adapter plate of the portablecooling device.
 28. The combination of claim 27, wherein the portablecooling device further comprises a mobile plate suited to exerting apressure on the metal tube.
 29. The combination of claim 27, wherein theportable cooling device further comprises a mobile rod suited toactuating the piston of the metal tube. 30-39. (canceled)